Thanks for those references, now where are the articles to be found? I have come across some of Angela de Búrca's work, but not her research on caoineadh, but I'd be interested in the research by Lillis O Laoire.

I like your theory about church music, but I have never heard of any tradition of secular harmony singing in Ireland similar to the Gaelic psalm singing of Scotland - which is an exclusively Presbyterian, or Free Kirk practice.

I'd be intrigued to learn more about the English tradition of harmony singing - I had thought that the Copper family evolved their own style partly from church singing (West Gallery as mentioned by Dave Bryant above), and also from glee songs. I remember a good article about the Copper family style by Vic Gammon on the recently released Topic CD - I'll go away and read it again.